Spring cover



Nov. 8, 192 7.

F. SCHLESSER SPRING COVER 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed June 5. 1926 IIn'venror. 7 Fred Schlesser Artys.

Nov. 8, 1927.

F. SCHLESSER SPRING COVER Filed June 5. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invenror.Fred Schlesser lay/aw AT tys.

Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,648,742 PATENT OFFICE.

FRED SCHLESSER, 0]? RIVER GROVE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AJAX SPRINGSTABI- LIZER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SPRING COVER.

I Application filed June 3,

This invention relates to improvements in spring covers and moreparticularly to covers for springs for vehicles such as automoblles, andthe general object thereof is to provide a spring cover which willpreserve the life of the spring which will aid in preventing breakage ofthe spring which will increase its efliclenc and maintain it insubstantially its origina condition throughout its life.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring cover formed offabrlcated units adapted to conform to and closely to embrace acorresponding section of a sprlng.

A further object of the invention is to provide spring cover units ofthe character described with overlapping extensions adapted to bepermanently secured together after the unit has been applied'to thespring.

A further object of the invention is to provide spring cover units ofthe character described so constructed, that a plurality of units may beapplied individually to the spring with their adjacent endstelescopical- 1y arranged thereby permitting relatively longitudinalmovement of the units during the flection of the spring.

An important ob ect ofthe invention is to provide spring cover units ofthe character described which can be readily applied A further object ofthe invention is to provide a sheet metal unit of the characterdescribed having interlocking extensions adapted to be interengagedafter the unit has been applied to the spring and thereupon folded toprovide a lock seam permanently securing the unit in place upon thespring.

An important object of the invention is to provide permanently closedspring cover units of the character described which will alvoid thenecessity of using the usual spring 0 1 s.

i further object of the invention is to provide a covering for alaminated spring, comprising a lubricant containing wrapping and meansclosely enclosing said wrapplng 1926. Serial No. 113,452.

operable in conjunction therewith to prevent separation of thelaminations of the spring and maintain such laminations in constantfrictional engagement thereby acting as a shock absorber especially toretard the rebound of the spring.

More particularly, the invention contemplatcs'the provision of alubricant containing wrapping for a spring enclosed in closely fittingunits formed of sheet metal having the extensions adapted to beinterlocked after the units have been applied to the spring, therebyproviding a casing which I will retain the laminations of the spring inconstant frictional engagement for the purpose above stated.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanied drawings in which Fig. 1 a side elevation of a semi-ellipticspring having the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an end portion of a spring illustratingpreferred spring cover units embodying the invention .applied theretoand broken away to show the tongue ofone unit extending beneath one ofthe usual s ring clips and telescopically entering an a jacent unit.

Fig. 3 is a view of an inverted end portion of the spring illustratingthe manner in which the units provided with interlocking extensions areapplied thereto, and showing also longitudinally extending insert stripsreinforcing the seamed face of the unit or units.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred form of unit provided with atongue adapted to extend beneath the spring clip, but, which may beomitted when the ends of adjacent unlts are telescopically arranged.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an insert strip.

Fig.7 6 is a perspective view of a spring, partly in section, and partlybroken away having a lubricant containing wrapping enclosed in a sheetmetal cover unit, the free I edges of which are permanentlyconnected bya lock seam. v

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a semi-elliptic springshowing the present invention applied thereto, and the overlappingextensions of respectiye units permanently connected together by spotwelding? Fig. 8 is a'view of a usual type of cant1- lever spring mountedupon a section of a 7 vehicle frame and provided with a spring having atits ends theusual eyes 3 and 4 and .a series of underlying progressivelyshorter leaves 5 which are joined together at their central portion byU-bolts 6 which clamp the" same together and to the spring saddle 7Which'ordinarily is connected or forms a part of the axle of thevehicle. Thus a laminated spring construction is provided in which theleaves normally engage one another throughout their entire length andmove longitudinally relatively to each other and to the spring.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, spring clips 8 and 9 embrace theleaves of the spring at suitable distances from the U-bolts 6 and fromeach other to hold the leaves in alignment and to prevent undueseparation of the leaves or laminations durin the rebounding movement ofthe spring. uch spring covers as have been heretofore employed toenclose closely the leaves of the spring, have required the removal ofthe spring clips to permit their application to the spring.

The present invention contemplates a provision of spring coveringdevices which avoid the .necessity of thus removing the usual clips,although the spring cover forming the subject matter of this inventionis made of such material and so constructed as toavoid the necessity ofusing such usual spring clips. When thus employed without spring clips,the spring cover performs also the function of the spring clips.

In the application of the, present invention, thespring desirably isprovided with a lubricant containing wrapping which is closely enclosedby a series of .fabricated units preferably of sheet metal which areprovided with overlapping portions adapted to be permanently connectedtogether after the units have been applied to the respective springsections to which they conform.

In the particular-construction illustrated in Figs. 1-7 inclusive, aseries of similar springs cover units are employed, these units beingmade of different sizes to conform to the different portions or sectionsof the spring to which they are to be applied.

One of these units is illustrated in Fig. 4: in an inverted'position andcomprises a plate of sheet metal which is fabricated to present a flattop 10 adapted to rest upon the top of the long leaf of the spring withside members 11 and 12 to engage respectively the sides of a springsection. These side portions are bent at right angles to form bottomsections 13 and 14 adapted to engage closely upon the under faces ofsuperimposed lower leaves. The bottom section 13 is provided with .anextension 15 which extends substantially at right angles to the plane ofthe section 13. The section 14: is likewise provided with an extension16 which is bent at substantially right angles to the plane of thesection '14. The extension 16 is again bent substantially at rightangles to form flange 17 which is adapted to be folded over theextension 15 of the section 13 thus producing an interengagement betweenthe extensions of the respective bottom sections of 13 and 14. Theseinterengaging extensions can then be folded down unit illustrated inFig. 1 is provided with a tongue 19 extending from one end of said topportion and adapted to pass beneath the spring clip and telescopicallyto engage a similar'unit which is on: the opposite side of the springclip, but such tongues are not required when the adjacent ends ofsuccessive units are telescopically arranged; furthermore, such tonguesare not'necessarily employed.

The spring cover illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a unit 20 which isinterposed be tween the spring clip 8 and the saddle 7 and desirably maybe provided with a tongue 19 which extends beneath the clip 8. Two coverunits 21 and 22 of similar construction but fabricated to conform to therespective portions of the spring sections are employed between thespring clip 8 and the spring clip 9, while the remaining end portion ofthe spring is provided with a single unit cover 23. These units aretapered to conform sub- 'stantially to the shape of sections of thespring which they enclose and the smaller end of the cover unit 21extends telescopically into the larger end of the cover unit 22. Thecover unit 22 is desirably provided with a tongue 19 which extendstelescopically into the larger end of the unit 23 which encloses the endportion of the spring.

In the application of the spring cover to the spring, a suitablelubricant is applied to the leaves of the spring and the spring sectionenclosed in a wrapping of fibrous or other suitable material, preferablya heavy duck. The sections 13 and 14 of each of the fabricated coversections, illustrated in Fig.

4;, are then spread apart sufliciently to enable the unit to be appliedto the section of the spring to which it conforms and after having beenapplied, the extensions 15 and 16-17 of the sections 13 and 14 arecaused to interengage, by the use of pliers or other suitable tools.These interengaged extensions are then folded down upon the spring andpressed or hammered tightly together,

to produce a permanent locked joint.. Thus each section of the springwhich is-defined by the respective clips is adapted to be separatelywrapped and covered without the necessity ofremoving the spring clips.

While any suitablelubricant may be employed, the present inventioncontemplates the employment of a viscous lubricant havingwater-repelling properties and containing a rust-preventing composition.By the use of such a. viscous composition, considerable adhesion isproduced between the adjacent faces of the spring leaves, and the com- 1position also serves to cause the wrapper to adhere to the spring leavesand overlappin portions of the wrapper to adhere to eac other.

The lubricant containing wrapping which closely embraces the spring andthe inelastic or inexpansible metallic covering, cooperate to maintainthe leaves or laminations of the spring in constant frictionalengagement throughout their lengths and eliectively preing a shockabsorbing action.

The covering units, however, permit the relatively longitudinal movementof the spring leaves or laminations which results from the flexing ofthe spring without any restriction thereof.

An additional insert beneath the seamwhich joins theoverlapping'sections of the bottom portion of the units, may if desired,be employed. Such an insert is shown in Fig. 5 as comprising a sheetmetal plate 24. This insert is placed beneath the seam of one or more ofthe units before the seam is interlocked, and after the seam isinterlocked, the

extending end portions 25 and 26 thereof are folded over and upon theouter face of the seam and pressed or hammered tightly down. The insertmay be of any desirable length either to extend beneath a single unitsuch as the end unit 23, or adjacent units such as the units 21 and22-illustrated in Fig. 3. I i

In Fig. 6 a section of the spring, its wrapping and cover together withthe ln'sert plate is illustrated. The lubricant 27 being applied to thespring leaves, and enclosed in a wrapping 28 of duck or other suitablemate- .metal unit.

rial which is in turn, enclosed by'the sheet The extensions 16 and 17 ofthe unit are interlocked and theinsert 24 is located between the seamconnecting the lower section of the unit and'the wrapping 28.

hile the invention has been above described as applied to springsprovlded with springs clips, it will be obvious that the spring clipsmay be omitted while closed cover units of the character describedherein are employed. It will also be obvious that such cover units maybe used not only with elliptical types of springs but in the cantilejver and other types of spring. It will also be obvious that other meansthan the iock seam may be employed to secure the overlapping extensionsof the units.

In Fig. 7 the invention is illustrated as applied to a spring which isnot provided with spring clips. In this; construction three spring coverunits 3;, 30 and 31 are employed. These units are of general rectangularform to conform to the respective sections of the spring which theyembrace and are provided with flat overlapping "extensions 32 and 33,the outer of which, 33, desirably extends the full width of the springand is secured to the underlying section 32 I by spot welds 34 locatedat suitable distance from one another. These units are not provided withtongues but the narrow ends ofband 35 'of suitable fabric, such as heavyduck, or the wrapping may be in the form of a sheet 36 cut in such amanner as to be wrapped tightly aroundthe spring and present overlappingportions 37 and 38 which desirably maybe overlapped the full width ofthe spring either on the top or the bottom. The overlapped extensions ofthe units de.-- sirably are locatedbeneath the bottom of the spring, asis shown in Figs. 3 and 7, in which the spring is illustrated ininverted position, such overlapping extensions may however be located onthe top or either side of the spring, but preferably on the bottom orthe inside where they will not be visible.

By thus forming the spring cover in units fabricated to conform todifferent sections of the spring, a construction is provided in whichthe units may be applied to usual types of springs which are rovidedwith spring clips, or if employ for factory equipment or upon springsfrom which clips have been removed, the'units may be assembled upon thespring in such overlapping relation as not only to provide a lubricantcontaining cover for the spring, but also to take the place and performthe function of the usual spring clips.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to theuse of sheet metal units, it will be obvious that other substantiallyinelastic materials may be employed in the form of units, within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention contemplates the use of any suitable material toenclose the I tions of the spring and having e 55 for. interlockingengagement" aaround sa1d ..1

lubricant containing wrappin' in such a se cure manner, as to maintain te laminations or leaves of the spring in constant frictional engagement,and to prevent separation of 5 the leaves or laminationsparticularlyduring the rebounding movement of the springs. The covering units,desirably, are of such character as to permit the wrapping to movefreely relatively thereto, but the wrapping is adapted so to embrace thespring as to exert a. restraining action upon relative lon 'tiidinal.movement of the leaves, pargen arly where. the spring is extremely exea It will beiunderstood, that the particular embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein are of an illustrative character and are notrestrictive'of the meaning and scope of the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto besecured by'Letters Patent, is:

- 1. In a spring cover, a plurality of sleeve like units adapted forapplication to the spring, each of said units having a split; base thefree edges of which are adapted to be wrapped together to secure theunit to the spring, a tongue integral with the top portion of certainunits for releasable engagement with thecontiguou's unit, andan'in'se'rt adapted for disposal longitudinally of said base within theseries of sleeve like units, the

ends of said insert extendin beyond said base and adapted to be bentback upon the wrapped ends of that member.-

2. -In a spring cover, aiplurality'of-units vadapted for application'tothe sprin two ofsaid unitshavin their metingen s teles scoped into eachot er, an insert within said 40 units extending-longitudinall of saidtwo units and its ends folded bajc upon the remote ends of said twounits, and the tongues formed-upon certain units for engagement withacont'iguous unit.

3. A spring cover, comprisin a plurality of independent units fabricateto conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sections of thespring and ,havingiedges adaptj ed for interlocking engagement aroundsaid 1 spring.

. 4.- jspring cover, comprisin a plural ty of indepepdent unitsfabric'at --'to conform to and closelyto embrace corresiondingsecgesadapted I spring, 'certainof saidnnit'shaving telescopicadjacent-ends. I v 5. A'spripg cover for a laminated spring havingspring cli s,"cor:prising snb'stantiall inelastic units fa ricat .toconform to an =e-. closely to enclose the -res'pecti've sections. of

the sprin definklfbyi the sprin' j clips, and having e gesadapted fornter ockmgen- 0 plurality of! units independently movable engage, eachunit having overlappingporretain the laminations of sai insane springsections. l v

6. A spring cover, comprising "a'plurality of metallic units fabricatedto conform to and closely to enclose corresponding sections of thespring, each unit having overlapping portions adapted to be permanentlyinterlocked after the unit is applied to the spring.

7. A spring cover,- comprising a plurality of tapering metallic unitsfabricated to con form to and closely to enclose corresponding sectionsof the spring and telescopically to so tions adapted to be permanentlyinterlocked when the unit is applied to the spring.

. V 8. A spring cover, comprising a plurality a of tapering unitsfabricated of sheet metal to conform to and closely to enclosecorresponding sections of the spring, each of said units havingoverlapping ed e portions forming interlocking members a apted to beinterengaged after the unit is applied to the spring and thereuponforced into permanent locking position and the adjacent ends of saidunits and also the adjacent ends of the interlocking members forming theseam be-' ing telescopically arranged.

9. A' spring coverunit fabricated from sheet'nietal to conform to andclosely to'embrace the corresponding section of a spring andhavingoverlappingmembers ada ted to be permanently locked together aftert e unit is applied to the spring.

10. ,A spring cover unit fabricated from sheet metal to conform to "andclosely to enclose a corresponding section of a spring,

and having overlapping .ed' e flanges forming interlocking members aapted to be interengaged' after-the unit is applied to'the spring andcompressed to form .a permanent lockseam. v Y

11. A covering-for a-laminated spring,

comprising a lubricant containing wrapping closelyv enclosing saidspring and substantial inelastic means closely. enclosing said sprinwrapping and an interlockinoint for sai inelastic means acting tomaintain the relation ofsaid meansjand said wrapping whereby to retainthe Iaminations of said spring in constant frictional. engagement. 12. Acovering for. a laminated spring;

comprisin a. lubricant containin wrapping closely enc being said springan '8. metallic covering closely enclosing saidspring wrapping and aninterlocking joint for'said in elastic-means actingto maihtaintherelation of said means and said'wrap ing whereby t0 spring in vconstantfrictional engagement. I

13.-A covering for a laminated" ring,

,,comprising' a wrapping closely encosmg gagement around said"sprin'g;includ1ngjag ""repellant' and rust-preventmg composition 39 said springand containing a viscous waterand a cover of substantially inelasticmaterial closely enclosing said spring wrapping and an interlockingjoint for said inelastic means acting to maintain the relation of saidmeans and said wrapping whereby to retain the laminations of said springin constant frictional engagement.

said spring, comprising wrapping of fabric closely enclosing thesections of the spring defined by the spring clips and containingalubricant and a cover formed of independent. sheet metal unitsfabricated to conform to and closely to embrace and enclose said springsections and wrapping, the units on opposite sides of a spring cliphaving their adjacent ends abutting the clip.

16. A covering for a laminated spring having spring \clips comprisingwrapping of fabric embracing the sections of the spring defined by thespring clips and containing a lubricant and a cover formed ofindependcut sheet metal units fabricated to conform to and closely toembrace said spring sections and wrapping and having overlappinglongitudinal edges adapted to be permanently locked together after saidmetallic units have been assembled upon the spring.

17. A covering for a laminated spring comprisin a lubricant-containingwrapping closely em racing and enclosing said spring, operable toprevent separation of the laminations of the spring and partially torestrain relative longitudinal movement of said laminations duringextensive flexions of the spring and a cover of inelastic materialclosely enclosing said wrapping but movable relatively thereto duringthe fiexions of the spring, said cover having edges adapted forinterlocking engagement around said spring.

18. A 'coverin for a laminated spring having spring c ips, comprising asectional lubricant-containing wrapping closely embracing and enclosingthe respective sections of the spring defined by the sprin clips,operable to prevent separation of the laminations of the spring andpartially to restrain relative longitudinal movement of-said laminations during extensive flexions of the spring, and a cover composed ofsheet metal units fabricated to conform to the respective sections ofthe spring and independently applicable thereto closely enclosing saidwrap ping but movable relatively thereto during.

the fiexions of the spring, said cover having edges adapted forinterlocking engagement around said spring.

19. The combination of a laminated spring, spring clips, a cover forsaid spring, comprising substantially inelastic units fabricated toconform to and closely to enclose the'respective sections of the springdefined by the spring clips, the units on opposite sides of a springclip having their adjacent ends abutting the clip.

20. The combination of a laminated spring, clips therefor, and a covertherefor, comprising substantially inelastic units fabricated to conformto and closely to enclose .the respective sections of the spring definedby the spring clips, the units on opposite their adjacent sides of aspring clip having said units havends abutting the clip, one o ing atongue extending from the abutting end through the spring clip andtelescopically engaging the unit which abuts the opposite side of theclip.

21. A spring cover, comprising a plurality of independent unitsfabricated to conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sectionsof the spring, and means whereby the edges of said units may be drawninto interlocking engagement.

22. A spring cover, comprising a plurality of independent unitsfabricated to conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sectionsof the spring, certain of said units having telescoping adjacent ends,and means whereby the edges of said units may be drawn into interlockingengagement.

23. A cover for a laminated spring, comprising a lubricant-containingwrapping of fibrous material closely enclosing said spring, and a coverformed of independent sheet metal units fabricated toconform. to andclosely to embrace and enclose correspondingwrapped sections of the.sprin s, and means whereby the edges of said units may be drawn intointerlocking engagement.

24. In a spring cover, a plurality of sleevelike units adapted forapplication to the spring to completely encompass the same and eachcomprising a single piece of material, each of said units having alongitudinally s lit base the free ends of which .are adapte to bewrapped together to secure adapted to be bent back upon the wrappe endsof that member..

In testimony whereof, name to this specification.

FRED SCHLESSER.

I have "signed my

